Summery Pleated Top - Vogue V1387

Pattern Description:  Misses' top:  top has self-lined yokes, front pleats, shaped hemline, and very narrow hem.  A, front longer than back and B, back longer than front, wrong side shows,  A: mock wrap, pullover, fitted through bust, no shoulder seams, elasticized tie ends for casing, underarm inset, and armhole bands.  B:  loose-fitting, collar, front bands with snap closing, and long sleeves with pleats, placket and snaps cuffs.  I made view A.

Pattern Sizing:  Size groups (6-14) (16-22)  I used size 16 with modifications.  See previous posts for more information.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Yes, for the most part.  I added two pleats and lengthen the hem a bit. 

 

Were the instructions easy to follow?  The instructions were typical.  The only little hiccup was inserting the the gusset at the lower armhole.  It is important to mark as indicated and sew the exact seam allowance throughout.  For the hem, I never follow the instruction for that.  I stitch two rounds to make the hem.  first round sew hem at 1/8" trim where necessary.  Then, I turn the hem and repeat, no trimming.  This gives me a clean, nice finished rolled hem.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I like the style of the top.  No dislikes.

Fabric Used:  The fabric feels much like a rayon challis, but it doesn't press as easy.  So, I suspect that it is a blend.  I really like it doesn't wrinkle easy.  I purchased it at Hobby Lobby last year.


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  See this post for alterations/adjustments.  Additionally, I made adjustments to the placement of the gathers across the back for better fit near the arm area.  Second, I think the placement of the pleats can also be adjusted to fall more over the bust area. Finally, I added the same width to the lower portions of the top to match the width of the upper bodice.  

Extra:  I shorten the recommended elastic length and made the ties longer. 

 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  Yes, I plan to make it again soon.  And yes, I do recommend it to others.

Conclusion: I'm happy with how this top turned out.  It was fairly easy to sew.  This top can be worn during the warmer alone: Or it can be worn in the cooler months layered with a cardigan or jacket. 

Happy Sewing!

C

Second Installment - Green Wardrobe Capsule S8601 and S8389

It's so nice to be able to post my second installment of my green wardrobe capsule.  This set was actually a UFO that I planned to make in 2018 but never got around to it.  Better late than never.  I can always use another summery outfit for social outings or vacation.  For right now though, it's perfect for a stroll in the park on a warm July day.

This set is made using to separate patterns.  I've used both patterns before: S8601 and S8389.  And I'm already planning to make the pants again.  The initial reviews for the patterns are list below:

Simplicity S8601

Simplicity S8389

For this set I used a beautiful rayon challis from FabricMart Fabrics.  It was easy to sew and press.   Lately, I'm drawn to floaty, fluid fabrics.  I really didn't try to match up the print to look continuous over all the sections of the garment.  It wasn't important to me for this project.  The print is busy enough for me to not care.

Since the covid-19 outbreak, I decided to sew at least one UFO per month. This set was the winner for July.  Luckily it fits in with my Green Wardrobe Capsule project.  The construction was fast.  I happily finished both pieces last Saturday night.   And today that I was able to take a pictures of me wearing it.

I was well pleased when I finished it and almost immediately started listing my likes, which are:

• The color/print of the fabric.  It's also a nice quality of rayon challis.  It feel like a soft cotton.
  
  
• Front tie of the top

• The flounce of the sleeve.  This was the first time that I sewed this sleeves.  It has four parts:  front and back sleeve; front and back flounce.

• The waistband on the pants is perfect.  I love the front panel (non-elastic) with the rest of it elasticized. 
• The inset pockets and the full pant leg.

I can see multiple versions of the top and pants in my wardrobe in the months to come.  I need (I mean) I want more of these easy wearing coordinates.

Note on construction/fit .  There could be a little more room across the upper back on the top.  It's not too small, I would like some more ease.  That is a easy fix for me.

Both patterns are easy to sew and look great together.  I'd recommend them to all level sewists. 

Happy Sewing!

C

Keeping Cool in Butterick 6451 - Last Dog Days of Summer

Ohwee!  The intense heat encouraged me to put on my new maxi-dress.  At first, I was only going to  take a few pictures in it; then put it away for my vacation.  NOT!  Too HOT!  Fall is literally around the corner, but typical Illinois September weather today it is in the 90's with 90% humidity, tomorrow it is in the 60's.   I stepped outside my door and it felt like I stepped into a spa sauna.  My face went flesh before I could walk on the driveway. 

That being said, it's clear that this dress is very appropriate for today's steamy temps.  I used Butterick 6451 for my lovely dress.  At least I think so.

The dress is described as: very loose-fitting pullover dress has elastic at neckline, and/hem variations.  A, B:  Elastic at waist.  My favorite view is view B the one that I made.  It was super easy and only took a few hours to make.  It's certainly a summertime wardrobe piece.  The dress is comfortable and effortless to wear.  I chose to wear mine with a wide belt partly to help define my waist and to break up the print of the dress.

The sizing comes in groupings (XS, S, M) (L, XL, XXL)  I purchased the second grouping.  It was the only size left.  Normally I would have purchased the first size. On the website the size groupings are different than what is actually printed on the pattern envelope.  Using the large, I just scaled it down a little.  Remarkably, not my usual adjustments to fit it.  The neckline and the back were my fit concerns to which I made very little change.  I cut the elastic for the neck and waist just a little smaller.  My other changes were to use self bias tape for the armhole facing and the casing for the waist elastic.  This was really easy to do with a bias tape maker and a few stripes of fabric cut of the bias to fit those areas.

My dress does look like the one pictured on the model. Cute..,

   
Likes:

• Flounce neckline with option to pull it around the shoulders.
• Floaty affects of the challis fabric
• Comfort of wearing the dress.
• My change to use self bias tape for the facing and casing.

  

Dislike:

• Instructed use of stiff packaged bias tape.  The application areas look better with self bias tape.

My fabric was purchased at Vogue Fabrics in Evanston, rayon challis print.

I see a few more of these dresses in my future.  The next time I make it, I'll bring the armhole up a little bit (1").  This is a dress, I think, all level sewists can make with no problems.

Parting Shot:  Me starting to sweat after only a few minutes in the sun.

Happy Sewing!
C

Rayon Challis Summer Dress - Hacked Dress Vogue 9260

I wore this dress to church on Sunday.  It's the forth of five projects I plan to complete for this month.

I mentioned that I would probably use Vogue 9260 again way back in June.  Lol  Isn't the summer going by super fast?  I actually thought I made the jumpsuit in July; but when I looked back in my archives, it was June 11 when I posted the review.  More on my initial review is here.

The top of the dress is made exactly like the original pattern, but the skirt of it is a easy, easy self drafted skirt.  With the remaining water colored challis, I decided to make a skirt.  So I cut it into two pieces (front and back).   Then with some black challis, I cut two more pieces  for the lower skirt.

Just a few wrinkles across the back.  Pictures taken after church on Sunday.

For the construction, I sewed the water colored challis together along the sides and gathered it to fit the bodice.  Next, I cut the black challis  the same width also sewing them together at the side to form a circle.  Next, I folded it in half with the wrong side facing.  Then I attached the lower skirt to the upper skirt.  No hem required as all edges are sewn together and serged.

A few wrinkles; pictures taken after church Sunday.

That's it.  Just a easy skirt attached to the bodice of the original pattern.

Happy Sewing!

C